The Brazilian government has filed a public civil lawsuit against Discord demanding 500 million reais in damages following the suicide of a 13-year-old girl. The action, which equals roughly 83.15 million euros, was presented on Wednesday by the Attorney General of the Union in the Federal District Federal Court.
Federal authorities initiated the legal action after identifying critical flaws in the platform's age verification systems and user protection mechanisms against severe risks. The lawsuit specifically seeks enhanced safety measures to protect children, adolescents, and women across the country.
Discord is a digital messaging and voice platform headquartered in San Francisco, California, that allows users to communicate through chat channels and live video broadcasts. It has grown rapidly worldwide among online communities, gaming groups, and student networks.
The lawsuit was triggered after a 13-year-old female teenager committed suicide during a live broadcast on Discord. Following the incident, Brazilian authorities targeted the platform and ordered the immediate suspension of all live streaming transmissions nationwide.
Failed talks and legal action
Jorge Messias, the minister heading the Attorney General of the Union, explained during a press conference that state officials had previously engaged in negotiations with Discord. The talks aimed to reach a Conduct Adjustment Term, a legal agreement in Brazil used to align corporate safety practices with regulatory standards.
Messias said that the company initially expressed interest in assuming significant commitments with the Brazilian state. However, he stated that Discord ultimately refused to sign the agreement at the last moment, leaving the government with no alternative but to file the public civil lawsuit.
In Brazil, the Attorney General of the Union, known as the Advocacia-Geral da União or AGU, is responsible for representing the federal government in legal matters. The lawsuit was formally filed in the Federal District, the legal jurisdiction covering the national capital of Brasília.
Demands for user protection and moderation
The Brazilian government is demanding that Discord implement robust age verification mechanisms to prevent minors from accessing inappropriate content. The lawsuit also requests that all accounts belonging to users under 16 years of age be linked directly to their legal guardians.
Under the proposed court orders, Discord would be required to activate protective privacy and safety settings by default for all young users. The legal action further insists that the company strengthen its internal moderation systems and expand its cooperation with Brazilian law enforcement agencies.
The suit outlines specific technical requirements to detect and halt live streams involving self-harm, suicide, and extreme violence. Discord would also be obligated to report cases involving extortion linked to sexual or intimate content directly to Brazilian police authorities.
To ensure proper oversight, the lawsuit mandates that Discord deploy a dedicated Portuguese-language moderation team sized appropriately for its user base in Brazil. The platform would also be required to maintain all moderation records and logs for a minimum of six months.
Finally, the government demands that Discord provide a permanent, free, and easily accessible reporting channel in Portuguese for users to submit safety concerns. The case remains under review in the Federal District Federal Court.
